Structural editing of a nonfiction document is a level of editing that deals with the structure of the manuscript. This level of editing is also called substantive editing.
Some editors and authors consider substantive editing as belonging to developmental editing. Others use the terms substantive editing and developmental editing interchangeably.
Both levels of editing are concerned with the big picture of the manuscript rather than its grammar and spelling. But developmental editing can happen early during the writing process—even when you have only an outline—as well as in later stages. Its goal is to set the direction for the manuscript. In contrast, structural editing requires that you have a complete draft.
What is the aim of structural editing of nonfiction?
Whether structural editing is part of developmental editing or is a separate stage, its aim is to ensure the manuscript’s structure is right for the target audience. The substantive editor suggests improvements such as
- rewriting,
- reorganizing the content,
- improving focus,
- selecting the figures and tables, and
- improving the narrative flow of the manuscript.
After structural editing, nonfiction books, chapters, or articles should have a consistent structure and a clear narrative flow and direction. The manuscript should also be right for its audience.
Working with a freelance substantive editor on your nonfiction project
If your manuscript needs significant changes, such as content reorganization or rewriting, you may want to work with a substantive editor. The freelance editor you choose should have both experience and expertise in your subject area.
But substantive editing can be expensive when it requires several iterations. To keep editing costs low, try to self-edit your manuscript before you send it to a freelance editor. Or, ask a colleague to read your manuscript and give you feedback on its organization: Is everything coherent? Are there repetitions of ideas or unnecessary examples? Is anything else amiss?
Do you need substantive editing for a natural sciences book, chapter, or report? Send me a message at editor@languageediting.com.
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Last revised on 30 August 2022
